IMPACT OF LAND USES ON WATER QUALITY IN BILASPUR DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2020-12
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Publisher
NAUNI,UHF
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Impact of Land Uses on Water Quality in Bilaspur District of
Himachal Pradesh” was conducted in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh by taking three dominant land
uses namely urban/peri-urban, agriculture and forest, two water sources i.e. surface and ground water and two
seasons i.e. winter and monsoon season. Samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters viz.
temperature, colour, odour, turbidity, pH, EC, TDS, BOD, COD, cations and anions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, and NO3-)
and heavy metals. Under all the land uses, the colour of water sources varied from clear to light brown and all
the samples were odour free. Higher turbidity (4.33 NTU) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in
monsoon season. The pH of water sources ranged from 6.96 to 8.59. The highest value of EC (723.67 µS cm-1)
was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. TDS was found between 101.23 - 480.67 mg
l-1. Higher TDS (480.67 mg l-1) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. Higher BOD
value (3.65 mg l-1) was recorded in monsoon season under urban/peri-urban land use. Higher COD value
(215.67 mg l-1) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. Calcium content in water
sources ranged from 35.33 to 129.67 mg l-1. Highest Ca2+ content (129.67 mg l-1) was recorded under agriculture
land use in winter season. Higher Mg2+ content (55.33 mg l-1) was recorded under agriculture land use in winter
season. Chloride concentration in water sources was found between 25 – 137.67 mg l-1. Higher chloride content
(137.67 mg l-1) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. NO3- content in both the
water sources varied from 3.67 to 27.73 mg l-1. Higher NO3-content (27.73 mg l-1) was recorded under
agriculture land use in monsoon season. Cadmium content was found between 0-0.024 mg l-1. Highest Cadmium
content (0.024 mg l-1) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in winter season. The iron content of water
sources ranged from 0.01 to 0.29 mg l-1. Higher Fe content (0.29 mg l-1) was observed under urban/peri-urban
land use in monsoon season. Lead concentration ranged from 0 to 0.038 mg l-1. Higher Zn content (0.120 mg l-1)
was recorded under agriculture land use in winter season. Higher Ni content (0.360 mg l-1) was observed under
agriculture land use in monsoon season. Highest WQI (61.65) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use
which was rated as poor quality. In monsoon season highest WQI (52.54) was recorded and water quality rated
as poor. The study indicated that the land uses viz. urban/peri-urban and agriculture have started impacting the
quality of surface and ground water sources. In the district, urbanization and agricultural practices have resulted
poor surface water quality as compared to forest, wherein it was good. The urbanization has also impacted
ground water quality in the region. Surface water quality has also negatively influenced during monsoon season.
Therefore, there is urgent need to regulate urbanization and agricultural practices in the district by promoting
environmental friendly development and practices for healthy ecosystem.